Developed countries began to race to find a new breakthrough in generating alternative energy that is much cheaper than oil and gas. They apply a policy of energy diversification. Surely dependence on non-renewable energy was diminishing. This is natural, because every crisis always giving effect to the increase in fuel prices and availability are inadequate. "One example that alternative energy is biogas. This energy has a bright future. We also got a lot of raw materials sources of energy, "said Daru Mulyono of Cultivation Technology Directorate of Agriculture, Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT).
Unfortunately, the use of livestock manure into biogas is lost ngetop fertilizer than plants from the dirt. Though the biogas technology, the content of natural substances contained in livestock manure can be used to meet increasing energy needs. So the fuss over the lack of energy supply will not exist anymore. Because the biogas can be used for just about anything. Call it the start of cooking, lighting, transportation to other purposes that need energy. Well, if the biogas has been widely applied, fuss energy supply shortages can be avoided. Sanitation and environmental affairs can be resolved.
But according to records Algas (1997), the livestock sector is the second contributor to methane gas emissions figures. Only the number held by the agricultural sector. Together CO, N2O, NOx, methane is a greenhouse gas that is generated from activities in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry. Digestive fermentation of livestock (enteric fermentation) accounts for the majority of methane emissions produced by livestock. But, do not worry, methane gas emissions that arise can be reduced. How, with the improvement of the quality of forage. If not, use livestock manure as biogas earlier. "In some areas, such as Solo, the implementation of the rest of the production of biogas has been there. They already use livestock manure into a source of thermal energy for the needs of the kitchen, "said Riska Elyza of Pelangi Indonesia, an NGO that dwell in environmental issues. In fact they've managed to design a special stove like LPG gas stove. "This is evidence that biogas can be applied. It's just that he needed dissemination and transfer of technology are aggressively from various parties, "said Riska. Swamp Gas Biogas typically known as swamp gas or mud.
The gas mixture obtained from the reform process animal manure into organic matter by microbes in the absence of oxygen. This process is popularly known as anaerobic. During the fermentation process, the biogas was formed. From this fermentation, the mixture will produce biogas consisting of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen and other gases such as H2S. Methane contained in biogas amounts to 54-70 percent, while carbon dioxide is between 27-43 percent. "Other gases had only percentages slightly," said Daru. During the process, microbes work need food. These foods contain carbohydrates, fat, protein, phosphorus and micronutrients. Through the cycle of biochemical, nutritional earlier will be described.
By doing so, will produce energy for growth. "From this anaerobic digestion process will produce methane gas," said Daru. When the elements in the food was not to be in a balanced dose or less, we can be sure the production of enzymes to decompose the complex carbon molecules by microbes would be hampered. "Well, to ensure everything goes smoothly, the elements needed nutrients microbes must be available in a balanced manner," said the man born in Yogyakarta. In the microbial growth optimum ratio is usually required elements C: N: P of 100: 2.5: 0.5. In addition to nutritional problems, there are other factors that need to be observed because of the potential to disrupt the fermentation process. "There are some compounds that can inhibit the decomposition process in a biogas unit.
Therefore, when preparing raw material for the production of biogas, materials bullies like antibiotics, disinfectants and heavy metals should be considered carefully, "said Daru. Methane gas will contribute the results of these fermentation contained biogas calorific value, of between 590-700 per cubic K.cal. The main source of heating value of methane biogas derived from it, plus a little bit of H2 and CO. Medium carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas has no contribution in terms of heat value earlier.
While in terms of calorific value possessed, biogas has a significant advantage than other energy sources, such as coalgas (586 K.cal/m3) or watergas (302 K.cal/m3). The calorific value of biogas was defeated by natural gas (967 K.cal/m3). In fact, according to D. Wibowo in his paper Bio Gas As An Alternative Energy Sources, every cubic biogas is equivalent to half a kilogram of liquefied natural gas (liquid petroleum gases), half a liter of petrol and half a liter of diesel oil. Biogas was able to generate power at 1.25 to 1.50 kilo watt hour (kwh). Of the calorific value contained, biogas can be used as an energy source in some everyday activities. Ranging from cooking, drying, lighting up a job that requires heating (welding).
In addition, biogas can also be used as fuel to drive the motor. According to Daru, for this purpose, the previous biogas must be cleaned of the possibility of H2S gas because the gas can cause corrosion. In order not arise fart gas that smells like it, we should skip the biogas to the ferric oxide. "Later ferric oxide is what will bind (gas) H2S before," said Daru. If biogas is used as a motor fuel would require slight modifications to the carburetor system. The work of the motor fuel of biogas can be used for various purposes such as power generation, water pumps and others. In addition, biogas can also be combined with other production systems.
